UPDATE (Friday, Apr. 10, 4:43 p.m. ET): After an investigation into claims that Harvey Weinstein groped model Amber Battilana, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office will not be pressing charges against the film mogul.
The DA also released a statement saying: “This case was taken seriously from the outset, with a thorough investigation conducted by our Sex Crimes Unit. After analyzing the available evidence, including multiple interviews with both parties, a criminal charge is not supported.”
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The New York Daily News is reporting that Harvey Weinstein “didn’t deny”; groping Ambra Battilana during a controlled phone call between the blustery movie mogul and the 22-year-old model, with cops reportedly listening in on the conversation in a telephone sting operation.
“He didn’t deny doing what she said he did to her [during the phone call],” an unidentified source told The News. “The content of the phone call, there’s no question about what he did.”
In fact, the source indicates that the conversation appears to make it clear that Weinstein did indeed fondle Battilana, as she has alleged. “If he denies it, if he says he didn’t touch her breasts and privates, he’s toast,” the source added.
However, a source close to Weinstein claims he’s innocent of all charges, alleging he was set up. “I couldn’t be more confident that nothing untoward happened with Harvey and that this is a setup like we’ve never seen,” the Weinstein-affiliated source said. “And I think it’s pretty clear that it’s part of a pattern.”
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UPDATE (Tuesday, Mar. 31, 5:30 p.m.): Mark Jay Heller, the man representing the victim, Ambra Battilana, released a statement on his website regarding the latest developments in the sexual abuse allegations made against Harvey Weinstein in New York City:
“My client, Ambra Battilana, is a 22 year old woman who has been traumatized by this encounter with Hollywood Producer Harvey Weinstein and has been accused by Weinstein’s Camp in a New York Post cover story of being a ‘would-be-extortionist’ and as reported by Page Six of the New York Post ‘a source close to Weinstein’ is attributed as stating ‘We believe this is a blackmail….’
I wish to state unequivocally, on behalf of the unfortunate victim, that there absolutely was no attempt of blackmail, and in fact, making such a false allegation adds insult to injury causing a duplicity of victimization.
Regrettably, like many sex crime victims, she is being inappropriately branded and persecuted for coming forward to report an act of sexual abuse perpetrated against her, and that is why many victims avoid reporting such crimes to the Police because they fear defense strategies which attempt to turn a victim into a pariah.”
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UPDATE (Tuesday, Mar. 31, 12:30 p.m.): A rep for Harvey Weinstein has released a statement regarding allegations that the movie mogul groped a woman on Friday night.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities, and are confident that we will be fully vindicated,”; says Weinstein’s spokesman, Ken Sunshine. “We will have no further comment.”;
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The NYPD has today confirmed that studio chief Harvey Weinstein was questioned by police after he allegedly groped a woman in Tribeca on Friday.
The woman, whose name has not been released, claims that the well known film producer touched her breasts and hips at the Tribeca Film Center on Friday night. The police are now investigating the claims, but no charges have been filed.
Weinstein is very well known in the film industry, he runs the self-titled production company, Weinstein Company, and is the man responsible for hit films such as “Pulp Fiction”, “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist”.
The filmmaker is yet to comment, he is still expected to make an appearance at the premiere of his latest film “Woman in Gold”;, starring Helen Mirren tonight in NYC.
